Catapulting device



July 28, 1931. c. w. KING CATAPULTING DEVICE Filed April 14. 1930 Patented July 2 8, 1931 PATENT OFFICE CLARENCE W. KING, OF SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA GATAPULTING DEVICE Application filed April 14,

This invention relates to a catapulting device for aeroplanes or hydroplanes, the invention comprising means whereby a catapulting cable canbe conveniently connected 5 with an aeroplane or hydroplane and can be readily released at any desired moment.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 isa diagrammatic, view illustrative of the invention, and Fig. 2 is a detail view showing connecting and releasing devices constructed in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawings, 12 denotes a hydroplane and 13 a reel which is to be mounted on a stationary support, as on the front of a floating harbor a, or otherwise, and which is to be mechanically driven when it is desired to quickly wind up the cable 1 connecting said reel with the hydroplane or aeroplane. 7

Fixed to the inside of the shell of the hydroplane or aeroplane is a casing 15 having a flange 15 by which it may be secured in place. Mounted to slide vertically in the casing 15 is an operating rod 16 pivotally connected to the lower end of which, at 17,

are links 18 which in turn are connected by pivots 19 to hooks 2O pivotally mounted on rods or housings 21 extending through the casing 15. These hooks, when closed toso gether, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, are engaged with an eye or ring 14 mounted at the end of the cable 14. When opened these hooks are drawn up into the casing as shown by the broken line.

In the operation of the device, when it is desired to launch an aeroplane or hydroplane on which the engaging and releasing device is mounted, the reel 13 will be rapidly rotated thus winding up the cable and imparting a rapid forward movement to the hydroplane or aeroplane with which the said cable is connected by means of the hooks 2O engaging the ring or eye 14? at the end of the cable. When the hydroplane or aero- 1 plane has attained sufficient speed for launching, the rod 16 will be drawn up by the plane pilot, thus separating the hooks 20 so as to disengage them from the eye or ring 14, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. From the foregoing it will be understood 1930. Serial m5. 444,256.

that the invention provides a convenient means for use in launching a hydroplane oraeropiane so that the same may be started on its flight from a constricted area. The invention is, however, not to be understood as being limited to the use of a reel for imparting a launching movement to a cable connected with a plane as other means, within the province of mechanical skill, may be employed for effecting this result, as by drawing the launching cable rapidly along a runway.

Having thus described my invention I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

A launching device for aeroplanes or hydroplanes comprisinga casing fixed in the plane to be launched, a power driven reel mounted on a stationary support, a cable connected with said reel and on which it may be rapidly wound, and releasable means for CLARENCE W. KING. 

